Child Health Research Centre

Research

The importance of child health research

Child health is a critical area to invest research effort with evidence mounting that a person's later health is heavily influenced by their health at conception, during gestation and in their early years of life. 

Research that aims to understand more about the health of children has the potential to prevent disease and disability before it even occurs. 

The UQ Child Health Research Centre draws research inspiration from our close ties with the clinical environment, and by listening to the needs of parents, clinicians, government bodies and industry partners.

Our research groups

Our Centre has many research groups dedicated to understanding more about the health of children. In addition to understanding the factors that contribute to health, researchers are also working to improve the ability to diagnose and detect disease and disability as early as possible. No matter what our individual research groups are focused on – our collective vision is the same: to prevent disease and disability before it occurs, thereby giving children the gift of life-long health.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder research collaboration
Our work aims to improve the health and wellbeing of children who have experienced prenatal alcohol exposure/fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and their families.
Queensland Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation and Research Centre
Our mission is to lead research, innovation and education to advance the health of children with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury and related disabilities, supporting them and their families across their lifespan.
Children's Health and Environment Program (CHEP)
CHEP plays an important role in children's environmental health research at The University of Queensland (UQ), bringing together researchers from many fields, connecting UQ researchers with international experts, and advising World Health Organisation policy makers.
Child and Youth Mental Health Research Group
We aim to improve the outcomes for families with children with psychiatric disorders. This is achieved by identifying risk factors for the development and persistence of childhood and adolescent mental health symptoms and by the development and evaluation of new treatment and prevention programs.
Acquired Brain Injury in Children (ABiC)
Our goal is to improve the lives of children with an acquired brain injury by using child-friendly brain imaging methods and developing new therapies and treatments.
Queensland Cystic Fibrosis Research Program
Queensland’s first cystic fibrosis research program established to help improve outcomes for patients living with the life-threatening genetic disorder.
Ian Frazer Centre for Children's Immunotherapy Research
The first dedicated children’s immunotherapy research centre in Australia, led by The University of Queensland in collaboration with Children’s Hospital Foundation, Children’s Health Queensland and QIMR Berghofer.
Kids Sleep Research
Kids Sleep Research aims to improve the health and wellbeing of children by targeting sleep to improve long-term functional outcomes.
Paediatric Nursing and Patient Safety
Our research program aims to eliminate healthcare-associated injuries, such as central line-associated bloodstream infection, thrombosis, extravasation injuries and medication error for children.
Computational immunology
We are working together with the IFCCIR team to focus on how pediatric immunity is perturbed during cancer at the cellular level and how this information can be used for creating novel warning systems for children with cancer.
Children’s Musculoskeletal, Endocrine and Diabetes Research Group (MED-Kids)
Our ambition for MED-Kids is to be the premier child and adolescent Musculoskeletal, Endocrine, and Diabetes research program in Australia.

Our research facilities

Partnerships

Publications

See a full list of publications produced by CHRC researchers.

Participate

Researchers in CHRC are seeking people to participate in research that can improve the lives of children everywhere.

See how you can participate

Study

Are you a student looking for research experience or to undertake a research higher degree at CHRC?

Learn more about studying with us

Research support